My interest in coin collecting started when I was given a 1937 Indian Head five cent piece as a child back in 1996. I sadly no longer own that particular coin, but based on what I remember the coin looking like, I would probably grade it around VF-20. Over the next few years I accumulated a collection that, in terms of quality, left a lot to be desired; such as common date
Indian Head cents and Indian Head Five Cent Pieces and worn or average circulated junk silver. During My teen years in the early 2000s my interest in numismatics took a backseat to other interests. However my interest in it never faded completely, and after selling all my quantity over quality coins, which not surprisingly, didn't exactly fetch a fortune, I decided to focus on higher quality coins. (well, as high a quality as my budget will allow.)I particularly like pre civil war silver coinage of the Capped Bust and Liberty Seated issues in the F-XF grade range and in the $60 to $150 price range. Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. Eye appeal/quality within grade is important too. I'd rather have an exceptional coin in F-12 than a mediocre or shoddy coin in XF-40. I only own one coin that breaks the $200 mark; an 1845 Liberty
Seated dime certified by NGC as MS-62. I would also never spend more than $200 on a raw coin anyway. I'm also trying to read more numismatic related books, and for the last few years I've slowly put together a collection of around 30 or so books (give or take) as well as almost 2 bookshelf cases full of numismatic periodicals (Coins, CoinAge,
Coin World Monthly and The Numismatist.)I've Been a member of the
ANA since 2013. When I get a decent camera I'll post Images of my collection. As most of you are probably aware, taking picture of coins that are clear and sharply focused isn't exactly as easy as some people might think. The longer I'm in this hobby the more I realize how much I still have to learn. Well, that's my story. Thanks for reading and for letting me be a part of the forums.